After the trade for Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri, people thought the move was strictly for more offense. This is fair, as Palmieri in particular has shown in the past that he has a knack for goal-scoring, even being named an All-Star in 2019 with the New Jersey Devils. But an underrated part of this trade is Travis Zajac and his defensive capabilities. Travis Zajac is a new defensive weapon for Barry Trotz to use in crunch time, on the penalty kill and against top lines.

The Numbers

Zajac has been analytically-proven as a great defensive weapon in the NHL. In the past three years, Zajac has been in the 85th percentile in defensive production among forwards. From the start of the 2018-19 season to the end of the 2019-20 season, he is tied among all forwards with the most shorthanded goals in the NHL. What else is there to say? He is solid in his own zone and does not allow that much, yet he is able to generate offense from the defensive zone.

Faceoffs

An underrated part of his game that helps his defense is his faceoff percentage. The first step in defending in your own zone is to win the faceoff. He wins over half of his face-offs in the defensive zone.

Not to mention, in New Jersey he took the most and won the most defensive faceoffs. Him winning those key face-offs will lead to less time in New York’s own zone and more offense off the breakout.

And the most important part of him winning faceoffs, is that he can be thrusted out there at the end of the game and win those key face-offs against the best in the league. That is going to be huge for the Islanders and Barry Trotz heading into the playoffs.

Grizzled Veteran

Yet the most important part of his defensive game is that he has seen it all. Zajac is an experienced veteran, playing over 1,000 games in his NHL career. Also, he has played on the biggest stage of them all, the Stanley Cup Final. He has made the playoffs six times with the Devils, including a Stanley Cup appearance in 2012.

Zajac has the experience, he has the knowledge and he knows what you have to put on the line. Speaking of putting his body on the line, he has blocked 386 shots in his 15-year career.  That will reflect on young players, hopefully Mathew Barzal, and make every forward on this team a two-way type player. His presence will change the culture in that locker room for the young forwards with Islanders.

Jack Kobil

Hi, my name is Jack Kobil. I am currently attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington DC. I am a huge Islanders fan and I love to share my passion for this team.